Delayed pack-off well packer



Aug 22, 1957 J. F. DE ROCHEMONT 3,336,983

DELAYED PACK-OFF WELL PACKER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 3l, 1964 JN VEN TQQ. J//a/ Fd@ ROCHE/:MNT

J. F. DE ROCHEMONT DELAYED PACK-OFF WELL PACKER Aug. 22, i967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3l, 1964 74%@ m v ,ZU /M/ V///r/////m//// rl x n L am MM Aug? 22, i957 J. F. DE Roem-:MONT 3,336,983

DELAYED PACK-OFF WELL PACKER Filed Dec. 3l, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 `97 m/Wpw #fro/@NE Ys.

United States Patent O ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A subsurface well packer having initially retracted slips and a packing expandable against the well casing by downward movement of a packer body, such down- Ward movement shifting an expander behind the slips to expand the latter, but being prevented from expanding the packing by a lock ydevice until the lock device is released.

The present invention relates to subsurface well bore equipment, and more particularly to well packers adapted to be set in well casing, and similar conduit strings, disposed in well bores.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer which can be anchored in a well casing without expanding its packing structure, expansion of such packing structure being eifected at any time thereafter, at the will of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well packer adapted to be set in a well casing above a lower well packer and interconnected therewith by a tailpipe, the upper packer being anchored in the well casing without expanding its packing structure so as to definitely locate the upper packer with respect to the lower packer, limit the load imposed on the intervening tailpipe, and allow iiui-d circulation to take place around the upper packer preparatory to expansion of its packing structure into sealing engagement with the well casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple production zone well packer adapted -to be lowered in a well casing disposed in a well bore and operatively associated with a plurality of tubular strings extending to the top of the well bore, in which the packer can be anchored in the casing preparatory to its packing structure being expanded into sealing engagement with the well casing, allowing the surface connections to be made to the tubular strings and casing and circulation around the well packer to 'be conducted for conditioning the well bore' with the well under control, after which the packing structure is expanded against the well casing without disturbing the surface connections of the anchored conditions of the packer. A multiple tubing string well packer capable of being operated in the manner indicated insures its definite setting location with respect to a lower packer and avoids loading of a tailpipe intervening between the packers as an incident of expanding the packing structure.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a multiple tubing string well packer of the character above indicated, in which energy can be stored in one or more of the tubular strings and utilized, following completion of the surface connections (tlanging upland circulation around the packer, for expanding the packing structure without disturbing the surface connections.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specication. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be ICC taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best dened by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES l, 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views of the well packer apparatus disposed in a well casing in a well bore, illustrating different operative conditions of the upper well packer;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational View of the upper well packer apparatus illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. l, 2 and 3;

FIGS. 5a and 5b together constitute a longitudinal section through the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4, with the packer parts in retracted position, FIG. 5b being a lower continuation of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 6-6 on FIG. 4;

FIGS. 7a and 7b are an enlarged longitudinal section through a portion of the well packer apparatus illustrating the slips anchored against the well casing, but the packing structure `still locked in retracted position, FIG. 7b being a lower continuation of FIG. 7a;

FIGS. 8a and 8b are views similar to FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrating the well packer anchored in packed-oit condition in the well casing, FIG. 8b being a lower continuation of FIG. 8a.

As disclosed diagrammatically in FIGS. l, 2 and 3, a lower well packer A of any suitable type, illustrated by way of example as a permanent well packer, is anchored in packed-off condition in a casing string B disposed in a well bore between a lower set of perforations 10 communicating with a lower producing zone and an upper set of perforations 11 communicating with an upper producing zone. An upper well packer C is to be anchoredl in packed-olf condition in the well casing above the upper set of perforations 11. Fluid from the lower producing zone can pass through a tailpipe or string of tubing D appropriately sealed in the central bore 12 of the lower packer, fluid from the tubing string flowing into a first longitudinal passage 13 in the upper packer and into a iirst tubular string E extending to the. top of the well bore. Fluid from the upper zone can iiow through the upper set of perforations 11 and into a second longitudinal passage 14 in the upper packer, continuing up through a second tubular string F extending to the top of the' well bore.

The upper and lower packers C, A may `be lowered in the well casing together, as on the first tubular string E, or the lower well packer A may be installed in the wall casing preparatory to lowering the upper packer C and tailpipe D therewithin. The upper well packer is rst anchored to the well casing B at its desired setting location above the upper perforations 11, but without expandig its packing structure 15. Preparatory to anchoring the upper packer in the well casing, or thereafter, the second tubular string F can be lowered in the well casing and into appropriate relation to the second packer C and second passage 14. Subsequently, and, if desired, after certain operations have been performed in the well bore, the packing structure 15 can be expanded against the wall of the well casing.

The upper well packer C includes a pair of parallel tubular body members or mandrels 16, 1'7 movable as a unit in the well casing. A iirst tubular body member or mandrel 16 passes through an upper connector 18, the second tubular body member or mandrel 17 also passing through this upper connector. Both body members are secured to the connector by rings 19 mounted in their peripheral grooves 20 and received within counterbores 21 in the connector. The rings are held in the counterbores by an upper insert 22 through which the body members pass, which is clamped against the lower side of the connector by an upper gauge ring 23 threaded to the latter. The upper end of the second tubular body member or mandrel 17 is threadedly attached to a tubing receptacle 24, the upper end of which is threadedly secured to a guide or head 25. The first tubular body member 16 extends through this guide and is suitably secured to the irst tubular string E, as by means of an intervening coupling 26. The guide or head has a tapered guide surface 27 which diverges in an upward direction from a low point at the tubing receptacle 24 to a high point adjacent to the first tubular member 16. More specifically, such tapered guide surface 27 may be frusto-conical in shape, being developed about an axis coinciding with the axis of the second body member 17.

The iirst and second tubular body members 16, 17 extend downwardly from the upper connector through a packing structure 15. This packing structure includes the upper insert 22 and the upper gauge ring 23, and also a plurality of packing elements 28 of a pliant, elastic material, such as rubber, the upper end of the uppermost packing element engaging the lower end of the upper gauge ring 23, and the lowermost packing element engaging a lower gauge ring 29 threadedly attached to the upper end of a slip expander 30, the lowermost packing element also contacting a lower insert 31 clamped against the upper end of the expander by the lower gauge ring 29. As illustrated, spacer rings 32 separate the packing elements. The connector 18, upper insert 22, packing elements 28, spacer rings 32, lower insert 31, and expander 30 have parallel bores 33 therethrough through which the tubular body members 16, 17 extend. The lower portion 34 of the second body member 17 i-s smaller in diameter than the bore 33 through the expander, such reduced diameter portion extending into the upper housing section 35 of a control unit 36 which is threadedly secured to the expander 30 and depends therefrom. The expander bore 33a through which the iirst tubular body member 16 extends is larger in diameter than the iirst tubular body member to enable a retracting ring 37 to slide therewithin which is mounted within a peripheral groove 38 in the rst body member and which is adapted to engage the lower insert 31 for the purpose of elevating the expander 3l) when the rst body member is elevated in the well casing B.

Spaced below the expander 30 is a slip ring 40 and a slip ring retainer 41 suitably secured to the slip ring, as by means of tie bars 53 described below, the ring and ring retainer having parallel bores 43 through which the body member 16 and control unit 36 extend. Spaced below the slip ring and its retainer is a lower connector 44 having parallel bores 45, 46 through which the iirst body member 16 and the lower housing section 47 of the control unit extend, such lower section 47 being threadedly secured to the upper Ihousing section 35. A bottom sub 50 is threadedly attached to the lower connector 44 and depends therefrom, the iirst body member 16 being slidable therein. The lower portion of the housing section 47 is slidable through an alignment ring or sleeve 51 threadedly attached to the lower connector 44. The bottom sub 50 is secured through the medium of a coupling 52 to the upper end of the tailpipe D that can extend downwardly therefrom to the lower packer A. The lower connector 44 is connected to the slip ring 40 and slip ring retainer 41 by a pair of longitudinally extending tie rods or bars 53. The lower portions of the tie rods extend through the lower connector 44, a tie bar shoulder 54 engaging the upper end of this connector and a nut S being threaded on the lower end of the tie bar and tightened against the lowei end of the connector to firmly secure the tie bar to the latter (FIGS, 7a, 7b). The upper end of the tie bar is threadedly secured to the slip ring 40, there being an upper shoulder 56 engaging the lower end of the slip ring retainer 41. It is apparent that the tie bars interconnect the slip ring 40 and lower connector 44 as a rigid unit so that they move together.

Displaced from a plane including the axes of the two tubular body members 16, 17 and on opposite sides thereof are slips 60 carried by the slip ring 40 and adapted to coact with the expander 30. As shown, a pair of slips is disposed on each side of the aforementioned central plane. Each slip is coupled to the slip ring for longitudinal movement therewith, but the slips can move radially of the slip ring from a retracted position into engagement with the well casing and back to a retracted position. The lower portions of the slips are formed as T-shaped heads 61 slidably mounted in companion generally T-shapcd slots 62 in the slip ring 40. The upper portions of the slips are constituted as anchoring members 63 having downwardly facing wickers or teeth 64 and inner tapered surfaces 65 inclined in a downward and inward direction, being slidable along companion tapered surfaces 66 in the expander. As the expander 30 moves downwardly relative to the slip ring 40 and the slips 60, the latter are `shifted radially outwardly into engagement with the well casing B. Conversely, relative upward movement of the expander 30 with respect to the slip ring 40 and slips 60 will result in inward movement of the slips from the well casing. This occurs as a result of providing side tongues 70 on each slip parallel to its tapered surface 65 which ride in companion grooves 71 in the expander,l forming a slidable tongue and groove connection between the expander and ealch slip, and insuring positive retraction of the slips when the expander moves away from the slip ring 40.

Initially, the slips 60 and packing structure 15 are in their retracted positons, being retained in such positions during lowering of the packer apparatus in the well casing by a releasable coupling or latch device 75, which is disclosed as specifically interconnecting the first tubular body member 16 with the slip ring 40 and retainer 41. The latch device is in the form of a latch ring 76 secured within a groove 77 in the first tubular body member and adapted to Acoact with a control or latch sleeve 78 threadedly secured to the slip ring retainer 41 and surrounding the actuating ring 76. The control sleeve has a plurality of longitudinal -slots 79 extending therethrough to form springlike latch legs 80 that terminate in inwardly directed latch feet 81 disposed below the actuating or latch ring. The lower end of the ring 76 and the upper surfaces 82 of the latch feet are tapered, inclining in an inward and downward direction such that downward movement of the ring with sufficient 'force will cam the latch feet 81 and legs 8i) outwardly to free the body member 16 from the slip rings 40, 41. Initially, however, the latch feet 81 are disposed under the actuating ring and couple the iirst body member to the slip ring and to the slips 60.

The slips 60 are disposed initially in a retracted position, which is `also true of the packing structure 15, the latch feet 81 being under the lower end of the actuating ring 76. The second tubular string F is initially not in place,l but the first tubular string E is threadedly attached to the upper end of the iirst tubular body member 16. The entire upper packer apparatus C is lowered in the well casing with a suitable length of tailpipe D extending from the bottom sub 50. During the lowering movement, the slips 60 remain in their retracted position since the latch or control mechanism 75 causes the slip ring and slips to move downwardly with the body members. The expander 30 also moves downwardly with the body members since the ring 37 prevents it from dropping downwardly therealong.

When the releasable coupling or latch device 75 is released as a result of the imposition of sufficient downward force on the tirst tubular body member 16, the expander 30 can be shifted downwardly within the slips 60 to expand them against the well casing B, but the packing structure 15 cannot at that time be expanded. Speciiically, as illustrated in the drawings, the control unit 36, which is of the hydraulic type, interconnects the sec-ond tubular body member or mandrel 17 with the expander 30 and prevents relative downward movement of the upper connector 18 with respect to the expander, which is necessary in effecting expansion of the packing elements 28.

The hydraulic control unit 36 includes the tubular housing 36a comprising the upper and lower housing sections 35, 47 threadedly secured to one another, the upper housing section being threadedly secured to the expander 30 and the reduced portion 34 of the second body member 17 being piloted within the upper portion of the housing section 35. Downward shifting of the second body member 17 within the expander 30 is initially prevented by a lock device including a holding sleeve 80a, the upper end of which is adjacent to the lower end of the second body member 17. The upper and lower portions of this sleeve are circumferentially continuous, but between such portions the sleeve has circumferentially spaced, longitudinal slots 81 providing spring-like arms 82 integral with intermediate cam fingers 83 that project outwardly into a groove 84 in the upper housing section, the lower ends 85 of the cam fingers tapering in a downward and inward direction and engaging a companion tapered surface at the lower end of the groove 84.

A downward force imposed upon the 4second tubular body member 17 will tend to shift the holding sleeve 80a downwardly and will force the cam ngers 83 against the companion tapered surface in the housing 36a to dellect the cam fingers 83 and arms 82 inwardly. However, initially, the cam fingers are prevented from being deflected inwardly by a retaining or trip sleeve 86 in the housing 36a extending upwardly within the holding sleeve 80a, with its upper portion 87 disposed behind the cam fingers 83. The upper location of the retaining sleeve is limited by a screw 88 fixed to it and engaging the lower end of the holding sleeve. Initially, the retaining sleeve 86 is held in its locking position within the holding sleeve 80a by a shear screw 89 threaded in the housing 36a in a position therebelow, which limits downward movement of the retaining and trip sleeve 86 within the housing until the trip sleeve `shears the screw or screws 89. The lower portion of the trip sleeve 86 has circumferentially spacedlongitudinal slots 90 opening through its lower end, providing spring-like arms or legs 91 that terminate in lower feet 92 having outwardly directed portions 93 engaging a restricted bore 94 in the upper portion of the lower housing section 47 and inwardly directed portions 95 providing a seat for a trip element 96, such as a ball valve, adapted to be lowered or pumped down the second tubular string F and the second body member 17 into engagement with the seat 95.

Assuming the ball valve element 96 to have engaged its seat 95, pressure can be built up in the second tubular string F, second body member 17, and housing 36a, which will exert a downward force on the ball member and the trip sleeve sufficient to shear the screw or screws 89, the trip sleeve 86 then being shifted downwardly until its feet 92 are opposite an enlarged bore 97 in the lower housing section 47, at which time the upper end 87 of the trip sleeve 86 is disposed a substantial distance below the cam fingers 83, allowing the latter to be cammed inwardly out of engagement with the companion lower holding surface of the housing groove 84. When aligned with the enlarged bore 97 of the housing 36a, the foot portions 92 will spring outwardly under the inherent tendency of the arms or legs 91 to expand outwardly, enlarging the effective diameter of the seat 95 and allowing the ball 96 to pass through this seat and through the housing 36a for ejection therefrom.

It will be noted that the hydraulic control unit 36 initially prevents downward movement of the second body member 17 relative to the expander 30, and thereby will prevent the upper portion of the packing structure to be moved toward its lower portion and the` expander. It is only following release of the hydraulic control unit 36 that a downward force imposed on the second tubular body member 17 will cam the fingers 83 from coupling engagement with the upper housing section 35 and permit the upper connector 18 to be moved toward the expander 30 and expand the packing elements 28 of the packing structure outwardly against the wall of the well casing B.

The well packer apparatus specifically described has particular use in connection with a lower packer A, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Assuming the lower packer A to have been installed previously in the well bore, a required length of tailpipe D is attached to the upper packer C sufficient to reach from the setting location of the upper packer into sealing relation to the lower packer. The first tubular string E is connected to the first body member 16 and the upper packer, with its slips 60 and packing structure 15 in retracted position, and with all parts in the relative positions illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5a and 5b, is lowered on the first tubular string into the well casing B until the tailpipe D shifts within the bore 12 of the lower packer into sealing relation therewith, which will locate the well packer C at its desired setting location in the well casing above the upper perforations.

A downward force imposed on the first tubular string E is transmitted through the first body member to its latch ring 76, the slip ring 40 and slip ring retainer 41 being prevented from moving downwardly since they are connected to the tailpipe D by the tie rods 53 and lower connector 44. The exertion of a sufficient downward force will cause the latch ring 76 to deflect the fingers or feet 81 of the control sleeve 78 outwardly, permitting the first tubular body member 16 to move downwardly within the bottom sub 50 and shift the packing structure 15 and expander 30 downwardly as a unit, the expander 30 moving toward the slip ring 40 and behind the slips 60 to shift the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B (FIGS. 7a, 7b). At this time, the hydraulic control unit 36 is interconnecting the upper connector 18 to the expander 30 through the agency of the second tubular body member or mandrel 17, such that the downwardly directed force on the first tubular string E, which is used for shifting the expander downwardly within the slips 60, and ex panding the latter outwardly, bypasses around the packing structure 15, any downward force exerted by the first tubular body member 16 on the upper insert 22, upper gauge ring 23, and upper connector 18 being prevented from exertion on the uppermost packing element 28 since such force is transmitted through the second tubular body member 17 to the holding sleeve 80a and from its cam fingers 83 to the housing section 35, which is threadedly secured to the expander, the retaining or` trip sleeve 86 preventing such downwardly exerted force from effecting inward deflection of the cam fingers 83 from coupling engagement with the upper housing section. After the slips 60 have been firmly anchored against the well casing B, the second tubular string F can be lowered in the well casing, its lower end engaging the guide surface 27 which directs it into the tubing receptacle 24. The lower portion of the second tubular string has a suitable seal structure thereon for sealing against the wall 101 of the tubing receptacle. If desired, the second tubular string F could have been lowered in the well casing and its lower portion fitted wit-hin the tubing receptacle 24 preparatory to release of the first body member 16 from the control sleeve 78. i

After the second tubular string F is in place, a suitable downweight can be imposed on the second tubular string, or on the first tubular string E, or on both tubular strings sufficient for effecting later expansion of the packing elements 28 outwardly into firm sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing. As an example, part of the weight of the first and second tubular strings E, F can be slacked off and allowed to rest on their body members 16, 17, such weight, however, being transmitted through the second body member 17 and the hydraulic control or lock unit 36 to the expander 30, passing from the expander through the slips 60 to the well casing. It is to be noted that the added weight is not imposed on the tailpipe D, which is sealingly related to the lower packer.

The surface connections H can now be made to the tubuar strings E, F and casing B to insure that the well bore will be under control, such as disclosed in FIG. 2, and fluid circulated down through the second tubular string F, the second body member 17 and housing 36a for discharge into the well bore between the upper and lower packer C, A in order to displace the liuid in the well casing above the lower packer upwardly around the upper packer C and to the surface of the well bore. During such displacing action, the tubular strings E, F, having previously been appropriately connected to the control mechanism H at the top of the Well bore, that is, flanged up, will remain under control, such that any tendency for production from the upper zone to flow into the well casing and around the Well packer C in uncontrolled fashion is prevented.

After the well bore has been appropriately conditioned, the tripping ball or valve element 96 is dropped down the second tubular string F, or is pumped downwardly therethrough, coming to rest upon the valve seat 95 in the lower portion of the retaining or trip sleeve 86. The building up of sufficient pressure in the fluid in the second tubular string F, second body member or mandrel 17 and housing 36a will shear the screw or screws 89 and shift the trip sleeve 86 downwardly out of holding relation to the cam fingers 83, the energy stored in the second tubular string F, or first tubular string E, or both tubular strings, and which is exerting a constant downward force on the second body member 17 bearing upon the holding sleeve 80a, forcing the latter downwardly, its cam fingers 83 deiiecting inwardly out of coupling relation to the upper housing section 35. Such release of the control unit 36 allows the energy stored in the above-mentioned parts to shift the second body member 17 downwardly, as well as the first body member 16, the body members moving within the expander 3f) to shift the upper connector 18, upper gauge ring 23, and upper insert 22 downwardly toward the lower insert 31, lower gauge ring 29, and expander 30, shortening the distance therebetween and expanding the packing elements 28 outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well casing (FIGS. 8a, 8b). The tubular strings E, F can elongate in a downward direction because of the amount of setdown Weight imposed by them on the upper well packer C to exert a constant force holding the packing elements 28 sealed against the well casing, without any movement being required'of the upper portions of the tubular 'strings E, F, which remain connected or flanged up to the surface connections H. As the trip sleeve 86 moves downwardly, its feet 92 expand outwardly into the enlarged bore 97, allowing the trip ball 96 to pass therethrough and be ejected from the housing 36a into the well casing B between the packers C, A.

The apparatus is now in the condition illustrated in FIG. 3, the well packer C being anchored in packed-oftcondition in the well casing, as illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b. Fluid from the lower zone can pursue its path through the tailpipe D, first passage 13, and first tubular string E to the top of the Well bore, whereas fluid from the upper zone can pursue a separate path through the second passage 14 and second tubular string F to the top of the well bore, comingling between the fluids being prevented. Leakage of fluid between the body 16 and bottom sub 50 is prevented by a seal ring 110, leakage between the body 17 and housing section 35 being prevented by a seal ring or rings 111.

It is, accordingly, apparent that an upper well packer apparatus C has been provided which can be set preparatory to expansion of its packing structure 15, to delinitely locate it relative to the lower packer A and to permit circulation around the upper packer in order to condition the well bore, which conditioning can take place with the surface connections H already installed, to insure maintenance of the well bore under control. The releasing of the energy stored in one or both of the tubular strings E, F effects expansion of the packing structure 15 against the wall of the well casing B without imposing any additional loading on the tailpipe D between the upper and lower packers and without disturbing the surface connections H.

In the event it is desired to retrieve the upper well packer C from the well casing, the surface connections H are removed and the second tubular string F elevated from the tubing receptacle 24 and withdrawn from the well casing B. An upward pull is then taken on the first tubular string E, which will move the upper connector 18, upper gauge ring 23, and upper insert 22, together with the second tubular mandrel 17, tubing receptacle 24 and guide 25, upwardly away from the expander 30, allowing the packing elements 28 to retract inherently from the well casing. When the first tubular body member 16 moves upwardly sufficiently to bring its ring 37 into engagement with the lower insert 31, the expander 30 is shifted upwardly relative to the slips 60, effecting retraction of the latter from the well casing, because of their tongue and groove interconnection 70, 71 with the expander. The first tubular body member 16 is shifted upwardly until the latch ring 76 engages the lower tapered ends 105 of the latch feet 81 of the control sleeve 78, expanding the latter outwardly and allowing the latch ring to move past the feet to its initial position thereabove.

The upper well packer C is now free from the well casing B, allowing continued upward movement of the first tubular string E to elevate it in the well casing and remove the lower end of the tailpipe D from the lower packer A. If the lower end of the tailpipe is threadedly or otherwise connected to the lower packer, the first tubular string can be rotated to the right, since such threaded connection 106 is usually left-handed, to unscrew the tailpipe from the packer A, after which the first tubular string E can be elevated in the well casing to remove the upper packer and the tailpipe therefrom.

I claim:

1. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit and having a plurality of passages therethrough; said body means having means thereon for connecting said body ymeans to individual tubular strings extending to the top of the Well bore and communicating individually with said passages; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; means for releasing said lock means; and means operable independently of said releasing means for expanding said packing means after release of said lock means.

2. 'In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit and having a plurality of passages therethrough; said body means having means thereon for connecting said -body means to individual tubular strings extending to the top of the well bore and communicating individually with said passages; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means for expanding said `gripping means against the well conduit; means in which energy is storable for expanding said packing means; releasable lock means connected to said energy storable means for preventing its stored energy from expanding said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; and means operable in response to fluid pressure in one of said passages `for releasing said lock means to permit said energy storable means to expand said packing means.

3. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit and having a plurality of passages therethrough; said body means having means thereon for connecting said body means to individual tubular strings extending to the top of the well bore and communicating individually with said passages; initially retracted gripping means on said lbody means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing meanson said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said body means and expanding means to prevent expansion of said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; means for releasing said lock means; and means operable independently of said releasing means for expanding said packing means after release of said lock means.

4. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit and having a plurality of passages therethrough; said body means having means thereon for connecting said body means to individual tubular strings extending to the top of the well bore and communicating individually with said passages; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; means n which energy is storable for expanding said packing means; releasable lock means interconnecting said body means and gripping means expanding means for preventing said energy storable means from expanding said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; and means for releasing said lock means after storage of energy in said energy storable means and independently of such storage of energy to permit said energy storable means to expand said packing means.

5. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: generally parallel iirst and second tubular body members adapted to be connected to rst and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means on one of said body members engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packingmeans on said body members expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means for relatively shifting said slip means and expander means to expand said slip means against the conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said packing means and eX- pander means to prevent expansion of said packing means upon expansion of said slip means; means for releasing.

said lock means; and means operable independently of said releasing means for expanding said packing means.

6. In a well packer adapted to -be lowered in fa well conduit disposed in a well bore: generally parallel first and second tubular body members adapted to be connected to first and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means on one of said body members engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body members, one end portion of said packing means engaging said expander means; actuating means on at least one of said body members engaging the other end portion of said packing means; means for relatively shifting said slip means and expander means to expand said slip means against the conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said actuating means and expander means to prevent relative movement of said actuating means toward said expander means during expansion of said slip means; means movable downwardly through one of the tubular strings and body members for releasing said lock means; and means for shifting said actuating means toward said expander means to expand said packing means.

7. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a Well bore: generally parallel rst and second tubular body members adapted to be connected to first and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means on one of said body members engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body members, one end portion of said packing means engaging said'expander means; actuating means secured to one of said body members and engaging the other end portion of said packing means; means for relatively shifting said slip means and expander means to expand said slip means against the conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said one of said body members and expander means to prevent relative movement of said actuating means toward said expander means during expansion of said slip means; means operable in response to fluid pressure in one of said body members for releasing said lock means; and means for shifting said actuating means toward said expander means to expand said packing means.

8. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: generally parallel first and second tubular body members adapted to be connected to rst and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expand-er means on one of said body members engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the Well conduit; initially retr-acted packing means on said body members, one end portion of said packing means engaging said expander means; actuating means on at least one of said body members engaging the other end portion of said packing means; means for relatively shifting said slip means and expander means to expand said slip means against the conduit; means in which energy is storable for shifting said actuating means toward said expander means; means for relatively shifting said 4slip means and expander means to expand said slip means against the conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said actuating means `and expander means to prevent said energy storable means from shifting said actuating means toward said expander means during expansion of said slip means; and means for releasing said lock means after storage of energy in said energy storable means and independently of such .storage of energy to permit said energy storable means to shift said actuating means toward said expander means and expand said packmg means.

9. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: generally parallel lirst and .second tubular Ibody members adapted to be connected to first and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means on one of said body members engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body members, one end portion of said packing means engaging said expander means; actuating means secured to one of said `body members and engaging the other end portion of said packing means; means for relatively shifting said slip means and expander means to expand said slip means against the conduit; means in which energy is storable for shifting said actuating means toward said expander means; means for relatively shifting said slip means and expander means to expand said 4slip means against the conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said one of said body members and expander means to prevent said energy storable means from shifting said actuating means toward said expander means during expansion of said slip means; and means for releasing said lock means after storage of energy in said energy storable means and independently of such storage of energy to per-mit said energy storable means to shift said actuating means toward said expander means and expand said packing means.

10. In a Well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: generally parallel rst and second tubular body members adapted to be connected to rst and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means on one of said body members above and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; actuating means on said body members above and engaging the upper portion of said packing means; means for relatively shifting said slip means and expander means to expand said slip means against the conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said actuating means and expander means to prevent relative movement of said actuating means toward said exp-ander means during expansion of said slip means; means for releasing said lock means; and means operable independently of said releasing means for shifting said actuating means downwardly toward ,said expander means to expand said packing means.

11. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: generally parallel rst and second tubular body members adapted to be connected to first and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means on one of said body members above and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; actuating means secured to one of .said body members and engaging the upper portion of said packing means; means for relatively shifting said slip means and expander means to expand said slip means -against the conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said one of said body members and expander means to prevent relative downward movement of said actuating means toward said expander means during expansion of said slip means; 4means operable in response to fluid pressure in one of said body members for releasing said lock means; and means for shifting said actuating means downwardly toward said expander means to expand said packing means.

12. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: generally parallel rst and second tubular body members adapted to be connected to iirst and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means on one of said body members above and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; actuating means lsecured to one of said body members above and engaging the upper portion of said packing means; means for relatively shifting said slip means and expander means to expand said slip means against the conduit; means in which energy is storable for shifting said actuating means downwardly toward said expander means; releasable lock means interconnecting said one of said body members and expander means to prevent relative downward movement of said actuating means toward said expander means during expansion of said slip means; and means for releasing said lock means operable in response to fluid pressure in one of said passages to permit said energy storable means to shift said actul2 ating means downwardly toward said expander means and expand said packing means.

13. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: generally parallel first and second tubular body members adapted to be connected to rst and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means on one of said body members above and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; actuating means secured to one of said body members and engaging the upper end portion of said packing means; releasable lock means interconnecting said one of said body members and expander means to prevent relative downward movement of said actuating means toward said expander means; means responsive to downward movement of one of the tubular strings for shifting said one of said body members and expander means downwardly relative to said slip means to expand said slip means against the conduit; means for releasing said lock means; and means operable independently of said releasing means and responsive to downward movement of One of said tubular strings for shifting said actuating means downwardly toward said expander means to expand said packing means.

14. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: generally parallel iirst and second tubular body members adapted to be connected to first and second tubular strings, respectively, extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means on one of said body members above and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; actuating means secured to said body members and engaging the upper end portion of said packing means; releasable lock means interconnecting one of said body members and expander means to prevent relative downward movement of said actuating means toward said expander means; means responsive to downward movement of one of the tubular strings for shifting said actuating means, one of said body members and expander means downwardly with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; means operable in response to fluid pressure in one of said body members for releasing said lock means; and means responsive to downward movement of one of the tubular strings for shifting said actuating means downwardly toward said expander means to expand said packing means.

15. In combination: a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit `disposed in a well bore and in- -cluding generally parallel rst and second tubular body members; rst and second tubular strings adapted to be connected to said rst and second tubular body mem-bers, respectively, and extending to the top of the well bore; initially retracted slip means; expander means lon one of said body members above and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; actuating means secured to one of said body members and engaging the upper end portion of said packing means; releasable lock means interconnecting said one of said body members and expander means to prevent relative downward movement of said actuating means toward said expander means; means movable downwardly by one of said tubular strings for shifting said actuating means, one of said body members and expander means downwardly toward said slip means to expand said slip means against the conduit; means for retaining at least one of said tubular strings in a stressed condition to store energy therein for shifting said actuating means toward said expander means; and means operable independently of said one of said tubular strings for releasing said lock means after said one of said tubu- 13 lar strings has been placed in a stressed condition to permit said stressed tubular string to shift said actuating means toward said expander means and expand said packing means against the well conduit.

16. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a Well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted slip means on said body means; expander means engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means engaging said expander means; actuating means secured to said body means and engaging said initially retracted packing means and movable `relatively toward said expander means to expand said packing means into sealing engagement with the well conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said body means and 'expander means to prevent relative movement of said actuating means toward said expander means; means for shifting said actuating means, body means and eX- pander means as a unit relatively toward said slip means to expand said slip means; means for releasing said lock means; and means operable independently of said releasing means and separate from said releasing means for shifting said actuating means relatively toward said expander means, following release of said lock means, t expand said packing means.

17. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit on a tubular string; initially retracted slip means on said body means; expander means above and and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means above and engaging said expander means; actuating means secured to said -body means and engaging the upper end portion of said initially retracted packing means and movable downwardly toward said expander means to expand said packing ymeans into sealing engagement with the well conduit; releasable lock means interconnecting said body means and expander means to prevent downward movement of said actuating means toward said expander means; means responsive to downward movement of the tubular string for shifting said actuating means, body means and expander means as a unit downwardly toward said slip means to expand said slip means; means responsive to fluid pressure in said body means for releasing said lock means; and means responsive to downward movement of the tubular string for shifting said actuating means downwardly toward said expander means, following release of said lock means to expand said packing means.

18. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit `disposed in a well bore: 'body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit and having a plurality of passages therethrough; said body means having means thereon for connecting said Ibody means to individual tubular strings extending to the top of the well bore and communicating individually with said passages; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly int-o anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on lsaid body means expandable outwardly into `sealing engagement with the well conduit; means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; means in which energy is storabe for expanding said packing means; releasable lock means connected to said energy storable means for preventing its stored energy from expanding said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; and means for releasing said lock means after storage 0f energy in said energy storable means and independently of such storage of energy to permit said energy storable means to expand said packing means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,171,479 8/1939 Nixon 166-138 X 2,989,121 6/1961 Brown 166-138 X 3,189,096 6/1965 Phenix 166-123 X 3,198,254 8/1965 Wise et al. 166-118 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. I. A. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A WELL PACKER ADAPTED TO BE LOWERED IN A WELL CONDUIT DISPOSED IN A WELL BORE: BODY MEANS ADAPTED TO BE LOWERED IN THE WELL CONDUIT AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF PASSAGES THERETHROUGH; SAID BODY MEANS HAVING MEANS THEREON FOR CONNECTING SAID BODY MEANS TO INDIVIDUAL TUBULAR STRINGS EXTENDING TO THE TOP OF THE WELL BORE AND COMMUNICATING INDIVIDUALLY WITH SAID PASSAGES; INITIALLY RETRACTED GRIPPING MEANS ON SAID BODY MEAND EXPANDABLE OUTWARDLY INTO ANCHORING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WELL CONDUIT; INITIALLY RETRACTED PACKING MEANS ON SAID BODY MEANS EXPANDABLE OUTWARDLY INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WELL CONDUIT; MEANS FOR EXPANDING SAID GRIPPING MEANS AGAINST THE WELL CONDUIT; RELEASABLE LOCK MEANS PREVENTING EXPANSION OF SAID PACKING MEANS DURING EXPANSION OF SAID GRIPPING MEANS; MEANS FOR RELEASING SAID LOCK MEANS; AND MEANS OPERABLE INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID RELEASING MEANS FOR EXPANDING SAID PACKING MEANS AFTER RELEASE OF SAID LOCK MEANS.
 16. IN A WELL PACKER ADAPTED TO BE LOWERED IN A WELL CONDUIT DISPOSED IN A WELL BORE; BODY MEANS ADAPTED TO BE LOWERED IN THE WELL CONDUIT; INITIALLY RETRACTED SLIP MEANS ON SAID BODY MEANS; EXPANDER MEANS ENGAGABLE WITH SAID SLIP MEANS TO EXPAND SAID SLIP MEANS AGAINST THE WELL CONDUIT; INITIALLY RETRACTED PACKING MEANS ON SAID BODY MEANS ENGAGING SAID EXPANDER MEANS; ACTUATING MEANS SECURED TO SAID BODY MEANS AND ENGAGING SAID INITIALLY RETRACTED PACKING MEANS AND MOVABLE RELATIVELY TOWARD SAID EXPANDER MEANS TO EXPAND SAID PACKING MEANS INTO SEALING INTERCONNECTING SAID BODY MEANS RELEASABLE LOCK MEANS INTERCONNETING SAID BODY MEANS AND EXPANDER MEANS TO PREVENT RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS TOWARD SAID EXPANDER MEANS; MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID ACTUATING MEANS, BODY MEANS AND EXPANDER MEANS AS A UNIT RELATIVELY TOWARD SAID SLIP MEANS TO EXPAND SAID SLIP MEANS; MEANS FOR RELEASING SAID LOCK MEANS; AND MEANS OPERABLE INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID RELEASING MEANS AND SEPERATE FROM SAID RELEASING MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID ACTUATING MEANS RELATIVELY TOWARD SAID EXPANDER MEANS, FOLLOWING RELEASE OF SAID LOCK MEANS, TO EXPAND SAID PACKING MEANS. 